Closure devices



May 24, 1960 c. F. LEACH 81 CLOSURE DEVICES Filed May 7, 1957 Charles F. Leach ZNVENTOR Fig.5 BY

ATTORNEY United States Patent'O CLOSURE DEVICES Charles F. Leach, 6431 Lakehurst, Dallas, Tex.

Filed May 7, 1957, Ser. No. 657,538

3 Claims. (Cl. 220--30.6)

This invention relates to closure devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved captive closure device.

Another object is to provide a new and improved cleft captive closure device presenting when in closed position a smooth continuous outer surface.

Another object is to provide a new and improved closure device for receptacles or the like having a threaded portion by means of which the closure device may be secured thereto.

Still another object is to provide a closure device, of the type described above, which may be permanently secured to the receptacle and be movable between a closed position wherein it closes the opening of the receptacle and an open position wherein the opening of the receptacle is open to permit substances to be inserted into or removed from the receptacle through the opening.

A further object is to provide a new and improved closure device, of the type described above, which may be screwed on the threaded portion of the receptacle into closed position and which may be unscrewed to an open position.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved closure device, of the type described above, which has a retainer portion slidable and rotatably mounted on a receptacle and a top portion, resiliently secured to the retainer portion, which may be screwed on a threaded portion of the receptacle.

A still further object is to provide a closure device, of

the type described above, wherein the top portion automatically moves to a position remote from the receptacle when unscrewed from the receptacle. Another object is to provide a unitary closure device having a retainer portion permanently securable'to a receptacle or the like and having an internally threaded top portion pivotally secured to the retainer portion.

Another object is to provide a new and improved closure device, of the type described above, which presents a continuous smooth exterior surface free of all protuberances.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved closure device, of the type described above, wherein the retainer portion is provided with two spaced internal flanges positionable on opposite sides of an external flange of the receptacle whereby the retainer portion is secured to the receptacle.

A further object is to provide a closure device, of the type described above, wherein one of the internal flanges of the retainer portion is adapted to be distorted in one direction to permit passage thereof over the external flange of the receptacle in one direction but which resists distortion in the opposite direction whereby the retainer portion may-be easily mounted on the receptacle but cannot be easily removed therefrom.

A still further object is to provide a closure device, of the type described above, wherein the internal flanges of the retainer portion abut the receptacle 'on opposite sides ofjthe external flange to maintain the closure device in firm position on the receptacle.

Another object is to provide a single piece closure device which is permanently mountable on a receptacle or the like and which has a top portion removably connectable to the receptacle whereby the top portion may be selectively positioned to close or open the receptacle.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are designated by like reference characters and in which: I

Figure 1 is a plan view of a receptacle provided with a closure device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the closure device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the closure device showing the closure device in closed position on a re ceptacle;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the closure device 'showing the top portion moved to a position where it is out of engagement with the threaded neck portion of the receptacle;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the closure device showing the top portion pivoted to open position;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modified closure device mounted on an adapter; and, v

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of still another modified closure device. I I

Referring now particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the drawing, the closure device 10 is shown mounted on the neck 11 of a receptacle or container 12. The closure device 10 is preferably formed of a single piece of suitableresilient substance, such as plastic, and includes a tubular retainer. portion 15 and atop portion 16 connected to the retainer portion by a substantially flat connecting portion 17.

The retainer portion 15 is provided with a pair of Iongitudinally. spaced internal annular flanges 20 and 21 which are disposed on opposite sides of an external annular flange 22 of the neck 11 of the receptacle 12. The lower flange 21 is preferably curved arcuately inwardly and upwardly so that it distorts or flexes easily upwardly when engaged by the upper arcuate surface 23 of the external flange 22 as the retainer portion 15 of the closure device is pressed on the tubular mandrel but resists any distortion and any movement in the opposite direction on the tubular mandrel when it engages the lower flat surface 24 of the external flange, as in Figures 4 and'5.

It will thus be seen that the retainer portion 15 may be easily pressed or forced down over the neck 11 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 3, the arcuate surfaces of the lower flange 21 and of the external flange 22 cooperating to flex or distort the lower flange outwardly during such downward movement of the retainer portion 15 over the neck 11 of thereceptacle or container.

The top portion 16 has a downwardly opening threaded bore 25 which is adapted to receive the threaded portion 26 of the neck 11 of the receptacle to close the upper end thereof. I V

In use, when it is desired to remove material from the receptacle 12, the closure device 10 is rotated to unscrew the top portion 16 from engagement with the threaded portion 26 of the neck 11. During such rotational movement of the closure device, the top portion and the retaining portion move upwardly on the neck 11 from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4. The top portion is now out of en gagement with the threaded portion 26 and pivots automatically to the open position shown in Figure 5 whereby the central bore 28 of the 'neck 11 is opened for removal of material from the container. The bore-28, of course,

with "the iiiterior of the receptacle or container.

The top portion, the retainer portion and the connecting portion 17 are formed preferably of a resilient material which tends to hold these portions in the positions shown in Figure 5, the resilient connecting portion p'ermitting but yieldably resisting movement 9f thetop portion to the position shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and4.

It will be noted that when the closure device is in operative position, the outer surfaces 'ofthe various portions present a continuous smooth surface 'free of protuberances.

The closure device can be easily moved to a positively closed position by pivoting the top portion 16 fabout'its connecting portion 17 to the position shown in Fig-ma and then rotating the entire closure device 'to cause the top portion to screw on the threaded portion 26 of the neck 11. p f

In Figure 6, the closure device 10 is shown mounted on an adapter or mandrel 30 which has an enla'r ged internally threaded lower portion 31 which is adapted to be screwed on any externally threaded neck of any receptacle or container. The adapter 30 is provided with an external flange 32 which has the same configuration and "function as the external flange 22 previously described and which is disposed below an externally threaded neck portion 33. It will be apparent that the adapter may be employed with receptacles not provided with the external flange 22 to permit use of the closure device 10 in-conjunction therewith.

In Figure 7 is illustrated still another closure device 40 having a retainer portion 41 and a top portion 42 connected to the retainer portion by a substantially flat connecting portion 43 formed of a resilient substance. The retainer portion is provided with spaced internal flanges 44 and 45 identical to the flanges 2 and 21 of Figures 1 to 6, which are adapted to bedisposed in opposite sides of an external flange 46 of the neck 47 of a receptacle or container 48. The neck 47 is internally threaded and the top portion 42. is provided with an externally threaded plug or stopper 49 which is adapted to be threaded into the neck 47. The annular shoulder 50 of the top abuts the upper edge of the neck when the plug or stopper is in closed position in the neck 47. The closure device 40 functions in the same manner as the closure device but is used on receptacles or containers having internally threaded neck portions.

It will now be seen that a new and improved closure device has been illustrated and described which includes a retaining portion slidably mounted on the receptacle for limited movement thereon and a top portion integrally connected with the retainer portion and threadedly connectable with the receptacle. It will also be apparent that the top portion is screwed on the receptacle when in closed position and is not of the snap action" type which is subject to inadvertent or accidental undesired opening. It will also be apparent that the top portion is captive to the receptacle and cannot be separated therefrom since it is integrally connected to the retainer portion by the connecting portion 17.

It will also be seen that since the connecting portion is of resilient substance and normally tends to assume the position shown in Figure 5, the top portion automatically swings or moves to a position remote from the container bore or opening 28 whereby it is out of the way of material being dispensed from or inserted into the receptacle orcontainer through the bore 28.

It will also be seen that the device described is a cleft captive closure device.

It will also be seen that a new and improved closure device has been illustrated and described which may be easily and permanently mounted on any receptacle having a threaded end portion and an external flange positioned remote from said end portion, the lower flange of the retainer portion flexing as the retainer portion is telescoped over such end portion and the external flange but engaging such external flange when the retainer por tion is moved in the opposite direction to prevent removal thereof from the end portion of the receptacle.

It will also-be seen that while the internal flanges of the retainer portion of the closure devices and the external flange of thereceptacle or container have been shown as annular continuous flanges they may be discontinuous or formed of several circularlyspaced' portions or bosses.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the above illustrated and described forms of the inventions without departing from the invention and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the'invention. I

What Icla'im as new an'ddesire to secure by L'etters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination with a receptacle having a threaded end portion and an external flange disposed near said threaded end portion a closure comprising: a retainer portion telescopable over said end portion; means on said retainer portion engageable with said external flange to prevent removal of said closure device from said receptacle, said retainer portion being mounted onsaid retainer for limited longitu dinal movement relative to said end portion; and a top portion connected to said retainer portion by "a flexible member integral with said top portion and said retainer portion, said top portion being threaded whereby it 'mayengage said threaded end por tion to close said receptacle, said means on said retainer portion being adjacent one end thereof remote from said top portion.

2. In combination with a receptacle having athreaded end 'portion and an external flange disposed near "said threaded end portion a closure device comprising: a retainer portion telescopable over said end portion, said'i'etainer portion having a pair of spaced internal flanges disposed onopposite sides of said external flange and permitting limited longitudinal movement relative to said end positionyand a top portion connected to said retainer portion and being threaded whereby it may engage said threaded end portion to close said receptacle.

3. In combination witha receptacle having a threaded end portion and an external flange disposed near s'aid threaded end portion a closure device comprising: a retainer portion telescopable over said end portion, said rctainer portion 'having a pair of spaced internal flanges disposed on opposite sides of said external flange and permitting limited longitudinal movement relative to said end portion anda top portion integrally connected to said retainer portion and being threaded whereby it may engage said threaded end portion to close said receptacle, said internal flanges engaging said "receptacle to steady said retainer portions on said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,253,113 Halley Mar. 5,191'8 "1,633,197 Snyder June 21, 1927 1,924,242 Kaye Aug. 29, '1933 2,581,849 Fisch Jan. 8, 1952 2,599,472 Miller "June 3, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 710,149 Germany Sept. 5, 1941 472,739 Canada Apr. 10, 1951 1,020,624 France Nov. 19, 1952 

